Such an odd day I had yesterday. Yesterday was the solstice, making it the shortest day of year – happily every new day will be a little bit brighter from now until June. I think metaphorically, this change is just what I needed to exit a little funk I have been in for a least a month now.
I have been planning to sit down with myself and have a planning session before New Years – a time when I can review what I have been doing so that I can set out my new years resolutions, plans and goals. I think that setting aside some time for this will spark me up. But somehow as I moved through my day, I had this sensation that my new year really should start yesterday rather than January 1st. Yesterday, I found myself suddenly energized and re-invigorated creatively, and I have no explanation for it at all. I am thinking I might find the calendar of nature more relevant to my life than the Gregorian calendar.
As an aside, thinking about the solstice and a bit of cruising brought me to Serpent Mound near Peebles, Ohio. Have you been to this place? It is the largest surviving example of a prehistoric effigy mound in the world. It is in the shape of a huge serpent with the mouth oriented to the sunset of the summer solstice and the coils to the winter solstice sunrise. I was so interested to read about its mysteries and realize that this fascinating ancient place, right here in the USA, is the landscape of an unknown people. I must visit. It is in the application stages of becoming a UNESCO world heritage site and you can help out.
The past year has brought so many changes to the landscape of all our lives. For me, I feel most affected by the economy and the impacts it has on my design business, as well as personal changes and the natural evolution of my career. My children are a year older and a little easier and I am starting to think about taking on projects I would have shied away from when they were younger. I also had the opportunity to try projects I would like to do more of and some that I will never do again. Generally, I feel like I need to hone my focus. I look forward to growing this site and it’s impact and I look forward to writing more and becoming a better writer. I want to choose away from certain types of projects and clients and towards others. I am interested in trying new things and continuing to evolve my career down new paths. I still need to nail down some specifics but I am certainly thinking in directions that I would not have a year ago. What about you? Are you re-examining your life for 2010? What are some of your resolutions? Are you feeling more optimistic about 2010 that about 2009? Are you making changes? I would love to hear where you are.
I’d love to visit that serpent’s mound!
I really like the idea of making new years goals and resolutions on the winter solstice. I think I’ll play catchup and do the same. great idea.
I will also look into serpent mound. I’m in kentucky a state away.
Rochelle,
I am constantly rethinking and refocusing especially since this is my second career and I always want to be doing what I love. But sometimes I also get into a funk – so I know what you mean. I just want to tell you how fabulous your blog is and I love what you put up daily. It is always inspiring and I look forward to your posts and find it a unique voice in the garden design world. So I hope you are thinking about this and how to grow it even further. Happy holidays and good luck in 2010! By the way – that serpent Mound is awesome. It makes me think of Maya Lin’s new Wavefield at Stormking which I must go and see becuase I doubt I will get to Ohio sometime soon :->